Chapter 54: Unarmed Sparring
'Unarmed, huh?' Observing the eager shifts in William's forearms, Kazi deduced he must have been taught in a martial art or two.
"Might be a good thing for Marta to watch. Why not?" Kazi rolled his shoulders and got up to stretch. William smiled excitedly in response.
"You better grit your teeth," warned William. "I'm actually really good at throwing hands."
"I believe you," Kazi replied, arms in a cross.
Stretching was over. It was time to spar. On her little stone, she shifted and became the defacto referee.
"Um, no dirty fighting!" Marta exclaimed. "Aaand, uh, no low blows! Let's have a clean fight!"
Creating a distance of five feet between each other, they readied themselves. The classic boxing stance ripped straight from Muhammad Ali faced Kazi, who went for a basic combat stance, palms opened and moving.
"Notice the space, Marta?" Kazi said. "Watch my feet. It's always important to gauge the space around you. How close you are to your opponent, if your opponent is at a disadvantage, or whether something is going to potentially obstruct you. Always stay vigilant."
"Nice advice. Can you do the countdown?" William nudged at Marta.
"S-sure. Three, two, one..."
William's feet spread and his left fist shifted back.